Assessment Of Groundwater Quality Research Articles

Drinking water quality in Cooch Behar Municipality, West Bengal, India: Assessment using WQI and public perception

AbstractEffective assessment and management of groundwater quality are essential for safeguarding the integrity of freshwater resources. Cooch Behar Municipality of West Bengal has been chosen for the present study due to its reliance primarily on groundwater for drinking water. The study focuses on assessing groundwater quality in the study area, a planned city with a long history of urbanization. The primary objective is to analyze various parameters relevant to drinking water and compute the Water Quality Index (WQI) with the residents' perception. Forty water samples were collected from Cooch Behar Municipality's Public Health Engineering (PHE) department, encompassing all 20 wards. Each ward provided one sample from a Deep Tube Well (DTW) and a Shallow Tube Well (STW). EC, Fe, TH, Mn, pH, TDS, Turbidity, Ca, and Mg levels were determined using standard instruments and methods, and analyzed geospatial techniques and statistical methods were employed. Results revealed concerning levels of manganese (Mn) and total hardness (TH), exceeding permissible limits in 82.5% and 75% of samples, respectively. While some parameters remained within acceptable limits, computed WQI values ranged from 63.28 to 162.67, indicating significant overall water quality concerns. Alarmingly, 45% of samples were unsuitable for drinking, with an additional 40% classified as very poor. Notably, demographic factors such as household income and education level correlated with perceptions of poor water quality. Policy implications suggest the urgent need for a well‐structured management system to address these findings and ensure safe drinking water for residents.

Assessing groundwater quality dynamics in Madhya Pradesh: Chemical contaminants and their temporal patterns

Groundwater is essential for maintaining ecosystem health and overall well-being as a pivotal resource for plants and animals. The increasing public consciousness of the deterioration of groundwater quality has emphasized the significance of undertaking extended evaluations of groundwater water quality, particularly in regions undergoing substantial hydrological alterations. This study primarily aims to investigate the spatio-temporal variations in groundwater quality and evaluate its suitability for potable purposes in the region of Madhya Pradesh. The study combines the Mann-Kendall (MK) test and Sen's Slope (SS) to analyze the changes in groundwater quality of all 51 districts of Madhya Pradesh, India, utilizing 12 water quality indices using MATLAB. Data was sourced from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in India from the year 2001–2021. The data was then tested for homogeneity at all 1154 sampling stations using the software XLSTAT. Piper plot clustering characterized the state's groundwater as bicarbonate-calcium-magnesium (HCO3−-Ca2+-Mg2+) type. The study found that the groundwater in the area is heavily impacted by high levels of nitrate and hardness, which is caused by an increase in multivalent cations. The water was classified as ranging from hard to extremely hard, and approximately 25.49% of the state's groundwater has nitrate levels that exceed the acceptable limits. The MK test showed a significant increasing correlation in trends for parameters such as nitrate, sulfate, fluoride, chloride, bicarbonate, total hardness, and electrical conductivity. It also showed a significant decreasing correlation for calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium. These results were observed at a confidence level of 95%. The analysis of trends has shown that human-related factors have a considerable effect on the characteristics of groundwater quality. It is therefore recommended that such human-related factors be taken into consideration when developing policies for managing groundwater resources. Consequently, these policies should emphasize the strict enforcement of rules and standards that limit the overuse of fertilizers, ensure the appropriate disposal of municipal solid and liquid wastes, and regulate industrial pollutants.

Quality assessment of different polyethylene-packaged groundwater in the Ilorin metropolis of Nigeria for compliance with standards

There is a notable proliferation of sachet water brands in the Ilorin Metropolis of Nigeria. However, more information regarding their safety for human consumption is required. This study aimed to determine the quality attributes of sachet water produced within the Ilorin metropolis of Nigeria to ascertain their conformity with regulatory standards. Three sachet water companies were each selected from three Local Government Areas within the study area. Physicochemical and microbial analyses were conducted on the collected water samples within 24 hours of production and monthly during 4-month storage. The results showed that temperature (25.10-30.13 ℃) and turbidity (0.37-2.84 NTU) were within permissible limits. Total hardness (36.0-136.33 mg/L) and pH (6.42-8.86) significantly (p ≤0.05) increased during storage and were above standards in some samples. There were significant (p ≤0.05) variations in chlorides (2.83-8.57 mg/L), nitrates (0.15-0.64 mg/L), sulphates (4.70-7.12 mg/L), and sodium contents (10.16-18.74 mg/L) but all were within standards. While five of the nine sachet water brands complied (2-100 CFU/mL) with the limit of 100 CFU/mL for the total viable count, all the samples failed the zero-tolerance requirement for coliform. Possible fecal contamination was concluded as the main concern with the sachet water brands produced within Ilorin Metropolis, suggesting their unfitness for human consumption. The water brands may, therefore, pose severe health hazards to consumers and threaten public health. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the likely unfitness of some sachet water brands in the Ilorin Metropolis of Nigeria for human consumption, owing to fecal coliform. This underscores the need for regulatory agencies to intensify the certification process of prospective sachet water factories. Furthermore, regular inspections of certified factories and their practices and products are recommended to ensure continued compliance with regulatory standards.

Comparative assessment of hydrochemical characterization and groundwater quality for irrigation in an autochthonous karst aquifer with the support of GIS: case study of Altinova, Turkey

This study aims to present a comparative assessment of hydrochemical characterization and groundwater quality in karst aquifers with the support of GIS which is essential to correlate the source of water with climate and geology, and to evaluate suitability of water for various uses. The study area is the Altinova region in Turkey where intensive agricultural activities prevail and travertine covers 85% of the study area. A total of 25 groundwater wells were monitored by seasonal field measurements and extensive water quality analyses for a period of one year to establish correlation between groundwater quality, its source, regional climate, and geology. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to assess the groundwater's suitability for irrigation based on electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percentage, magnesium hazard, permeability index, residual sodium bicarbonate, Kelly’s ratio, and an irrigation water quality (IWQ) index. This multi-parameter evaluation was further integrated with geospatial analysis using ArcGIS, providing a detailed spatial understanding of hydrochemical variations across the area. Major cations and anions dominance were identified as Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3− > Cl− > SO42−, respectively. Spatial mapping identified high concentrations of Ca2+, TDS, TH, and SO42− in non-karstic areas, occasionally exceeding WHO guidelines. Nitrate concentrations displayed varied spatial distribution. The SAR values generally matched C2-S1 and C3-S1 classes, suggesting medium to high salinity risks and low sodium presence. Based on the IWQ index and observed correlations with total dissolved solids, the groundwater in Altinova’s karstic aquifer is considered suitable for irrigation, with salinization largely due to ionic interactions and geology. The presented comparative assessment provides a holistic approach for understanding hydrochemical characteristics of karst aquifers, and analyzing the impacts of natural factors and anthropogenic pollution sources on groundwater quality.

Groundwater Quality Assessment of Newly Developed Dwarka Region, New Delhi, India

Groundwater Quality Assessment of Newly Developed Dwarka Region, New Delhi, India

Assessment of post-war groundwater quality in urban areas of Mosul city /Iraq and surrounding areas for drinking and irrigation purposes by using the Canadian Environment Water Quality Index CCME-WQI and Heavy Metal Pollution Index HPI

The negative impact of war acts in the conflict area of the city of Mosul and its surroundings on groundwater quality and thus its use as drinking water, in domestic applications and for irrigation was addressed. Therefore, 8 wells were analyzed from January to September 2022 using the parameters pH, E.C., TDS, % salinity, COD, phosphate, nitrate, sulfate and the heavy metals Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr and Ni, and water quality was evaluated using a mathematical model based on the CCME WQI, the HPI and present salinity. Due to salinity, 6 of the 8 wells were moderately suitable for irrigation and 2 wells were difficult in use. According to the CCME WQI criteria, 4 wells were highly and 3 wells were moderately contaminated for drinking water supply and domestic use, and therefore unusable or limited usable, while 3 wells were unusable and 2 wells were moderately usable for irrigation purposes. For irrigation, only one well showed low and 2 wells showed marginal contamination. The HIP revealed good quality of 3 wells, poor quality of 2 wells and unsuitability of 3 wells (drinking water/ domestic use) or very poor quality (irrigation), respectively. According to all approaches, the wells located in the conflict area consistently showed poor water quality. Thus, war had a significant negative impact on groundwater quality in the conflict area, as the surface-near wells located here showed comparatively high levels of contaminations and heavy metals due to the infiltration of contaminated surface water, damaged sewage networks and infiltration of rainwater after passing through highly polluted soils. Cadmium, followed by lead, were the dominant water contaminants, which is why caution is advised before using this well water.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality of Taluka Bulri Shah Karim, District Tando Muhammad Khan, Sindh, Pakistan

Groundwater in Pakistan is the main drinking water source, highlighting the significance of regularlymonitoring its quality. There have been several examples of high concentrations of elements like arsenic and nitrate ingroundwater that harm human health and the environment. Our aim with this study was to assess the groundwater qualityof the sub-district Bhulri Shah Karim for drinking and irrigation purposes. We collected groundwater samples from 53shallow bore well hand pumps in October and November 2018. We determined the concentration of four cations, fiveanions and other parameters like pH, turbidity, TDS, total hardness, EC, alkalinity, total iron, and arsenic. Thegroundwater was found to be very hard, and the relative abundance of cations and anions was Na+> Ca2+> Mg2+> K+ andCl‾ > HCO3‾ > SO42‾ > NO3‾ > F‾. The concentrations of arsenic and iron varied from 0 to 0.2 mg/L and 0.02 to 3.6mg/L, respectively. We discussed groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes by calculating the waterquality index, sodium adsorption ratio, percent of sodium, permeability index, and residual sodium carbonate. Inconclusion, the groundwater of the studied area is suitable for drinking on average and irrigation. However, some watersamples were high in arsenic content, and some were highly saline and may need some prior treatment

Spatial assessment of groundwater quality for drinking In Souk El Arbaa, Morocco

Abstract Morocco is facing challenges with its water resources due to population growth, industrial expansion, agriculture, urban development, tourism, climate change, overuse of underground water sources, and pollution from inadequate sanitation and chemical fertilizers. The Gharb aquifer is significant for supplying drinking water and irrigation in the country. Souk El Arbaa is a Moroccan city located in the northwestern part of the Kingdom of Morocco in the Kenitra Province. Its economic activities depend mainly on agriculture and livestock raising. This study aims to assess the groundwater status of a basin in a semi-arid climate in the Souk El Arbaa for drinking purposes by collecting 14 samples in 2022 from different locations and analyzing their physicochemical characteristics. The quality assessment was made by estimating electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonates, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium. The results showed that most of the groundwater in the study area is very hard, and all groundwater in the study area, according to the Moroccan Standards for drinking purposes, exceeds the permissible limits for nitrate and ammonium.

Assessing groundwater quality in Nand Samand catchment, Rajasthan, India: a GIS-based multi indices approach for drinking and irrigation water suitability

Abstract Consistently monitoring groundwater quality (GWQ) is essential to reduce the risk of geochemical contaminants and ensure its suitability for agriculture and human consumption. The current investigation aims to assess GW acceptability in the Nand Samand catchment (NSC), utilizing the water quality index (WQI) and irrigation water quality indices (IWQIs) for domestic and irrigation purposes. To achieve this, GW samples were collected from 95 open wells which were located spatially in the catchment, during the pre-monsoon (PRM) and post-monsoon (POM) seasons of 2019 and 2020, and subsequently analysed for 11 physico-chemical parameters. Electrical conductivity (EC) varied from 1.25 to 6.61 dS/m and 0.58 to 7.42 dS/m during the PRM and POM seasons, respectively. Total dissolved solids of the study area ranged between 180 and 1,180 (27%) to 1,180 and 2,180 (62%) during PRM 1,180 (63%) to 1,180–2,180 (31%) during POM, respectively. The study also computed the ‘sodium adsorption ratio’ (SAR) and ‘residual sodium carbonate’ (RSC) to estimate GW's appropriateness for agriculture, finding it suitable in most locations due to its balanced composition. Based on WQI, varying percentages of samples were classified as ‘good’ and ‘poor’ for potable water quality in both seasons.

Enhancing groundwater recharge in drinking water protection zones in Flanders (Belgium): A novel approach to assess stormwater managed aquifer recharge potential

Study regionFlanders (Belgium) Study focusStormwater infiltration for managed aquifer recharge is increasingly recognized as a drought adaptation measure. Given the high degree of urbanization and imperviousness, stormwater infiltration has significant potential in Flanders (Belgium). This research presents a novel approach to quantify stormwater availability and its potential to enhance groundwater recharge. Stormwater volumes available for recharge are calculated based on the imperviousness level, yearly average precipitation volumes, and runoff coefficients. This study focuses on groundwater protection zones around drinking water wells to assess the role of increased infiltration for sustainable drinking water production. Calculated potential stormwater volumes for recharge are compared to natural groundwater recharge and pumping volumes for drinking water production to quantify the potential significance of stormwater infiltration for aquifer recharge. New hydrological insights for the regionResults show a high potential for stormwater infiltration in Flemish protection zones with an average of 17% (7%-33%) additional groundwater recharge from stormwater infiltration. Additionally, stormwater recharge could potentially compensate for 19% (8%-37%) of abstracted drinking water production from phreatic aquifers. Locally, higher groundwater recharge potentials were calculated, especially in protection zones around the city of Leuven. Therefore, stormwater harvesting for infiltration and groundwater recharge should be further encouraged throughout the region, with special attention to urban areas. However, further research is needed on stormwater quality to assess groundwater quality risks in this water quantity-quality balancing exercise.

Nitrate contamination in groundwater and its evaluation of non-carcinogenic health hazards from Arjunanadi River basin, south India

Nitrate (NO3-) contamination of groundwater is increasingly getting common in many places across India. Here, we present new data about nitrate pollution and the associated health consequences for infant, children, and adult population by evaluating 94 groundwater samples from the Madurai and Virudhunagar regions within the Arjunanadi River basin, situated at the southern region of India. Nitrate (9–221 mg/L) remained surpassed the WHO's recommended limit (>45 mg/L) in 34% samples. The piper diagram results specified that 75% of the samples fall in Mixed CaMgCl type. The correlation of nitrate results showed that groundwater of the region degraded by agricultural and industrial activities. The Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI) results of samples revealed significant pollution class, n = 18 (19%) and very significant pollution class, n = 26 (28%) in the study region. Its spatial distribution covered an area of 456.3 km2 in the risk zone with more than permissible nitrate. Among the shallow aquifers, about 16% of whole samples were in the high risk and 9% in very high-risk. Similarly, about 6% samples from deep aquifers were also in the category of high risk. The Water Quality Index (WQI) of groundwater samples indicateed 39% as good, 48% as poor and 9% as very poor to unsuitable. The health risk assessment from intake (HQintake) and skin contact (HQdermal) suggested 64%, 45% and 32% of samples with THI >1 pose hazard for infant, children, and adult population, respectively. The health risks and assessing groundwater quality indicated the necessity of regular groundwater quality monitoring for better long-term health management in this region.

Deciphering groundwater pollution in the Lower Anayari Catchment: insights from using δ2H, δ18O, PMF, and APCS-MLR receptor model.

This research provides a comprehensive analysis of groundwater pollution in the Lower Anayari Catchment (LAC) through δ2H and δ18O isotopic analysis, along with positive matrix factorization (PMF) and PCS-MLR receptor models. Forty groundwater samples were collected from hand-dug wells and equipped boreholes across the LAC. Flame photometry for Na+ and K+, complexometric titration for Ca2+, ion chromatography for Cl-, F-, NO3-, SO42-, and PO43-, and atomic absorption spectrometry for Mg2+, Fe, Pb, Cd, As, and Ni were analytical techniques/instruments employed. In regard to cations, Na+ has the highest average concentration of 63.0 mg/L, while Mg2+ has the lowest at 2.58 mg/L. Concerning the anions and nutrients, Cl- has the highest mean concentration of 18.7 mg/L, and Fl- has the lowest at 0.50 mg/L. Metalloids were detected in trace amount with Fe displaying the highest mean concentration of 0.077 mg/L whereas Cd and As recorded lowest (0.001 mg/L). The average values for groundwater δ18O and δ2H were - 3.64‰ and - 20.7‰, respectively; the average values for rainwater isotopic composition were - 3.41‰ for δ18O and - 17.4‰ for δ2H. It is believed that natural geological features, particularly biotite granitoid and volcanic flow/subvolcanic rocks from the Birimian Supergroup, significantly influence groundwater mineralisation. Additionally, the impact of anthropogenic activities on water quality, with urban development and agricultural practices, may be attributed to increasing levels of certain contaminants such as Fe, Ni, NO3-, and PO43-. This research contributes to the broader field of hydrological study and provides practical implications for managing and conserving water resources in similar contexts. The innovative combination of isotopic and statistical analyses sets a new standard for future studies in groundwater quality assessment, emphasising the need for comprehensive approaches that consider both geological characteristics and human impacts for sustainable water resource management.

Assessment of surface and groundwater quality in Tikamgarh city, Madhya Pradesh, India

Surface water and groundwater are primary resources for communities living in arid and semi-arid regions. The expansion of industrial and agricultural practices has raised pressure on natural resources. Water quality assessment provides valuable information about potential of resources for intended uses. The correlation study was carried out on the physicochemical parameters of surface water and groundwater in the Tikamgarh city. The physicochemical parameters, such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), total alkalinity (TA), sulphate (SO42-), fluoride (F-), iron (Fe), nitrate (NO3-), chloride (Cl-) and turbidity were analysed to determine correlation between parameters. The grab sampling technique was adopted to collect water samples from selected dug wells and reservoirs. The results of physicochemical parameters were fitted in the correlation coefficient equation to predict probable values of different parameters for selected locations. Results of the correlation study showed that calcium and TH are strongly correlated, followed by TH with chloride. However, Ca2+, TH, Cl-, TA, TDS, SO42-, and iron show a high correlation. The findings show that water quality can be managed by controlling TH and TDS concentrations through conventional and non-conventional treatment methods.

Hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in mountainous catchment and its suitability for drinking purposes in Irob, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract The primary source of drinking water in Ethiopia's semi-arid mountainous regions is groundwater. The present study aims to assess the hydrogeochemical characteristics of low-grade basement rocks dominated by mountainous catchments. Moreover, it examines the suitability of the groundwater quality for drinking purposes in Irob, Tigray, northern Ethiopia. However, relatively little is known about the water chemistry and groundwater quality of the resources in the area. Fifteen samples of groundwater were collected and examined for ions according to standard procedures. The outcomes were assessed against the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water quality criteria. To identify the source of dissolved ions and the process involved, graphic interpretations were applied. The results show that Ca–Mg–SO4–HCO3 and Ca–SO4–HCO3 were the dominant water types. Gibbs plots and ionic ratios reveal that silicate weathering, carbonate dissolution and ion exchange control water chemistry. Furthermore, the findings reveal that 60, 80, 46.67, 46.67, 60, 6.67, 60 and 53.33% of samples are above the safe limits of the WHO for hardness, alkalinity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+), bicarbonate (HCO3-) and sulfate (SO42-), respectively. Consequently, the groundwater quality assessment demonstrates that the water sources in lower parts of the catchment are unsuitable for drinking.

Physico-Chemical Quality Assessment of Ground Water in Kathmandu Valley and Siraha District

A key element in maintaining human health is the quality of drinking water which is a vital component of natural resources. This study was conducted to assess the ground water quality in the Kathmandu Valley and Siraha district from October 2022 to March 2023 in the Water Engineering and Training Centre, Ratopul, Kathmandu. A total of 123 water samples were collected from various wells and borings around the Kathmandu Valley and Siraha district and were subjected to physicochemical investigation following the standard techniques for water sample collection and analyzed by methods as described in the American Public Health Association (1998). The pH, conductivity, turbidity, ammonia concentration, and iron content were found to exceed National Drinking Water Quality Standard guidelines value in 21.95%, 3.25 %, 53.65 %, 47.15 %, and 18.7 % of total water samples respectively. All water samples had total hardness and chloride levels within the acceptable range. The arsenic content of all samples except one well water sample from Siraha was found within a permissible level. The findings suggest that water quality is not satisfactory, which could lead to various water-borne illnesses. Therefore, proper water purification techniques should be used before consumption.

Assessment of groundwater quality using Entropy‑Weighted Quality Index (EWQI) and multivariate statistical approaches in Heilongdong Spring Basin, Northern China

Assessment of groundwater quality using Entropy‑Weighted Quality Index (EWQI) and multivariate statistical approaches in Heilongdong Spring Basin, Northern China

Hydrogeochemical evolution processes, groundwater quality, and non-carcinogenic risk assessment of nitrate-enriched groundwater to human health in different seasons in the Hawler (Erbil) and Bnaslawa Urbans, Iraq

The main objectives of this research are to assess groundwater, a primary source of drinking water in the urban areas of Hawler (Erbil) and Bnaslawa in northern Iraq, and the non-carcinogenic human health risks of nitrate contamination associated with drinking water quality. For this purpose, twenty-seven groundwater samples were collected from wells to assess the hydrogeochemical characteristics and groundwater quality for both natural and anthropogenic purposes during the wet (May 2020) and dry (September 2020) seasons. During the wet and dry seasons, NO3− in groundwater ranged from 14.00 to 61.00 mg/L and 12.00 to 60.00 mg/L, with an average value of 35.70 and 29.00 mg/L, respectively. Approximately 25.92% of the samples exceeded the permissible limit of the WHO (2011) drinking water standard. The ratios of NO3−/Na+ vs. Cl−/Na+ and SO42−/Na+ vs. NO3−/Na+ indicate the effect of agricultural activities and wastewater leaking from cesspools or septic tanks on the quality of groundwater during the wet and dry seasons. The entropy weighted water quality index method ranked 62.5% and 75% of the urban groundwater as not recommended for drinking, and the remaining samples are moderately suitable in both wet and dry seasons. The non-carcinogenic human health risk assessment displayed that during the wet and dry seasons, 29.6% and 25.9% of adults, 48% and 30% of children, and 48.1% and 29.6% of infants were exposed to increased concentrations of nitrate in groundwater. Due to high nitrate in drinking water, non-carcinogenic human health risk levels vary as infant > child > adults. The main findings obtained from this study can assist policymakers in better understanding the hydrogeochemical properties of groundwater in terms of drinking water safety, thereby facilitating the management of water resources to take the necessary measures.

AquMADE: A GIS-based web application to assess groundwater quality by introducing a risk-based irrigation water quality index (RB-IWQI)

Groundwater quality monitoring plays a vital role in effective water management across all groundwater basins. The provision of decision support systems can assist decision-makers in strategic planning and the conservation of groundwater resources. In this study, AquMADE—a user-friendly and comprehensive web application—is developed to integrate GIS and multi-criteria decision-making methods seamlessly for modifying the irrigation water quality index. AquMADE serves multiple functionalities. Firstly, it empowers decision-makers to import, interpolate, and visualize collected data, enabling a holistic view of the information at hand. Secondly, it offers the flexibility for decision-makers to adjust the weights of various parameters through the utilization of the analytical hierarchy process, taking into consideration their risk attitudes during the aggregation process using ordered weighted averaging method. Finally, the incorporation of sensitivity analysis methods allows for the evaluation of the impact of changes in inputs, such as criteria weights and aggregation methods, on the resulting outputs. The system underwent user testing in Khoy City, Iran, where it received positive feedback. The assessment revealed that the system performed satisfactorily in terms of functionality, interactivity, and ease of use.

Groundwater quality and non-carcinogenic element health risks assessment using multi-technical models: A case of the deep aquifer of the complex terminal in Ouargla city (southeastern Algeria)

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the groundwater quality and the health hazards related to non-carcinogenic elements present in the Complex Terminal (CT) Ouargla city. Thirty (30) samples were taken and physico-chemically analyzed collected from deep boreholes located in study area. Fluoride concentrations ranged between 1.07 and 3.7 mg/l, with 54% of samples having a value >1.5 mg/l as per potability limit. According to the fluoride pollution index (FPI), 63.67% of the boreholes were severely contaminated with F−. However, nitrate pollution index (NPI) revealed that approximately 71% of the samples showed no contamination. The pollution index of groundwater (PIG) ranging from 1.34 to 2.85 indicate the majorit of groundwater samples in the search zone was contaminated for human consumption. Based on the entropy water quality index (EWQI), 30% of samples had poor quality, while 70% were unfit for drinking. According to the statistical analysis used in this study, the dissolution of fluoride-rich carbonate rocks under high HCO3− contents enables the liberation of F− from fluorine-bearing minerals like calcite and fluorite. Regarding non-carcinogenic risks, the Hazard quotient (HQ) fluoride was obtained with a huge difference in exposure dose in children (0.89–3.08), women (0.62–2.13) and men (0.54–1.85), respectively. HQ nitrate values ranged from 0.08 to 1.40, 0.06–0.97 and 0.05–0.84 for men, women and children, correspondingly. The total hazard index (THI) clearly show that fluoride presents a higher health risk than nitrate, revealing that 53.3%, 66.7%, and 100% of the samples show that men, women and children, at risk respectively. It has been proven to be more susceptible to health hazards since it may be exposed to non-carcinogenic elements, and to avoid a further worsening of the health situation, those responsible and decision-makers will have to treat the water appropriately, identify the affected people and provide them with the necessary medical care.

Groundwater quality assessment using water quality index and principal component analysis in the Achnera block, Agra district, Uttar Pradesh, Northern India

The qualitative and quantitative assessment of groundwater is one of the important aspects for determining the suitability of potable water. Therefore, the present study has been performed to evaluate the groundwater quality for Achhnera block in the city of Taj, Agra, India, where groundwater is an important water resource. The groundwater samples, 50 in number were collected and analyzed for major ions along with some important trace element. This study has further investigated for the applicability of groundwater quality index (GWQI), and the principal component analysis (PCA) to mark out the major geochemical solutes responsible for origin and release of geochemical solutes into the groundwater. The results confirm that, majority of the collected groundwater samples were alkaline in nature. The variation of concentration of anions in collected groundwater samples were varied in the sequence as, HCO3− > Cl− > SO42− > F− while in contrast the sequence of cations in the groundwater as Na > Ca > Mg > K. The Piper diagram demonstrated the major hydro chemical facies which were found in groundwater (sodium bicarbonate or calcium chloride type). The plot of Schoellar diagram reconfirmed that the major cations were Na+ and Ca2+ ions, while in contrast; major anions were bicarbonates and chloride. The results showed water quality index mostly ranged between 105 and 185, hence, the study area fell in the category of unsuitable for drinking purpose category. The PCA showed pH, Na+, Ca2+, HCO3− and fluoride with strong loading, which pointed out geogenic source of fluoride contamination. Therefore, it was inferred that the groundwater of the contaminated areas must be treated and made potable before consumption. The outcomes of the present study will be helpful for the regulatory boards and policymaker for defining the actual impact and remediation goal.